LIVERPOOL’S hotels struggled in September, according to the latest figures from accountancy firm, PKF.

Its monthly survey showed that in the city room rate, occupancy and rooms yield all fell against the same period last year.

Room rate was down 3.7% to £67.77, occupancy was down 1.5% to 78% and rooms yield was down 5.1% to £52.86.

In Chester, occupancy levels were only down marginally from 78.2% to 78.0%.

Room rate was up 1.1% from £69.38 in 2009 to £70.15 this year and rooms yield improved from £54.25 to £54.72, a 0.9% increase.

Across the UK, hotels experienced a strong September with room rate, occupancy and rooms yield increasing almost across the board, according to preliminary monthly figures released by PKF Hotel Consultancy Services.

In the UK regions, September was a good month occupancy was up 5.7% from 74.0% to 78.2% and room rate remained the same at £65.53. Overall, rooms yield increased by 5.7% to £51.23 compared to £48.47 last year.

The Labour Party conference and election of its new leader proved a big draw to Manchester’s hotels in the month, with occupancy increasing 4.7% to 81.6%.

Room rate was also up, by 9.8% to £82.20, and overall rooms yield was up 14.9% to £67.08.

Jane Jackson, partner at PKF, said: “Despite the overall positive results in the UK regions, September provided some mixed fortunes for the North West hotels.”